John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And cried with a loud voice , etc.] That all might hear, and to show earnestness and affection, and that it was a matter of great importance, as well as to denote the certainty of it; what he said is not expressed, but seems to be the book of prophecy, or what regarded the state of his church and kingdom, in the several periods of time to the blowing of the seventh trumpet, when the kingdoms of this world shall become his: and this voice of his was as [when] a lion roareth ; loud and terrible; and indeed it was the voice of the lion of the tribe of Judah, which was heard far and near, throughout the whole world, by his people, and is terrible to his enemies: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices ; which some understand of the ministers of the Gospel in the times of the Reformation, who were Boanergeses, sons of thunder, and think that they are the same with the angels in ( Revelation 14:6), etc. or rather these may signify the denunciations of God's judgments, and of his wrath, both upon the eastern and western antichrist, the Turk and pope, signified by the seven vials, hereafter to be poured out, mentioned in ( Revelation 16:1- 4,8,10,12,17).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - The apostle saw another representation. The person communicating thi discovery probably was our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, or it was to show his glory. He veils his glory, which is too great for mortal eye to behold; and throws a veil upon his dispensations. A rainbow was upo his head; our Lord is always mindful of his covenant. His awful voic was echoed by seven thunders; solemn and terrible ways of discoverin the mind of God. We know not the subjects of the seven thunders, no the reasons for suppressing them. There are great events in history perhaps relating to the Christian church, which are not noticed in ope prophecy. The final salvation of the righteous, and the final succes of true religion on earth, are engaged for by the unfailing word of the Lord. Though the time may not be yet, it cannot be far distant. Ver soon, as to us, time will be no more; but if we are believers, a happ eternity will follow: we shall from heaven behold and rejoice in the triumphs of Christ, and his cause on earth.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ εκραξεν 2896 5656 V-AAI-3S φωνη 5456 N-DSF μεγαλη 3173 A-DSF ωσπερ 5618 ADV λεων 3023 N-NSM μυκαται 3455 5736 V-PNI-3S και 2532 CONJ οτε 3753 ADV εκραξεν 2896 5656 V-AAI-3S ελαλησαν 2980 5656 V-AAI-3P αι 3588 T-NPF επτα 2033 A-NUI βρονται 1027 N-NPF τας 3588 T-APF εαυτων 1438 F-3GPM φωνας 5456 N-APF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. Cried (ekraxen). See on Mark v. 5.As when. The when of A.V. is unnecessary.
Roareth (mukatai). Only here in the New Testament. Peter uses wjruomai for the voice of the lion. See on 1 Pet. v. 8. The verb here is originally applied to the lowing of cattle, expressing the sound, moo-ka-omai. Both Aristophanes and Theocritus use it of the roar of the lion, and the former of thunder. Homer, of the ring of the shield and the hissing of meat on the spit.
Seven thunders. The Jews were accustomed to speak of thunder as "the seven voices." Compare the sevenfold "voice of the Lord," Psalm 29. As usual, interpretation has run wild as to the seven thunders. As a few illustrations may be cited: Vitringa, the seven crusades; Daubuz, the seven kingdoms which received the Reformation; Elliott, the bull fulminated against Luther from the seven-hilled city, etc.
